Recruits to Casement's Irish Brigade

The Bureau of Military History in Dublin has the original Roll Book of the Irish Brigade, which appears to have been started when they moved to Zossen in summer 1915. The name of the only recruit after that in November 1915, Wilson, has been added at the end of the Roll. The 56 men on this list, is the correct figure for men who joined the Brigade.

One can use other lists, which usually agree with the roll except for the odd man that was missing at the time, or memory failed if it was drawn up after the event. However they do serve to add the odd useful fact on individuals

In addition a number did use an alias, like Bailey using "Beverley", and that only came to light as he went to Ireland in the submarine with Casement. Others have used false Christian names, probably to appear more Irish, where for example Delamore styles himself "Patrick" rather than "Harold Percy".

• Casement's List was primarily to highlight men's skills when they went out to work in Germany. Casements list has 55, and omits Carroll. In a letter to Count Wedel dated 11 Apr 1916, Sir Roger Casement gives a list of those who joined the Irish Brigade.
• American List was made by American Ambassador around the time the men moved to Zossen. The ‘American list’ covered more than just men who had moved to Zossen and therefore more than just men of the Irish Brigade. Missing Kavanagh, Dowling, Keogh, Quinlisk, Sewell, Wilson
• Keogh's list give 55 men - he omits Scanlon. Note that this was drawn up a long time after the event.
• Mahony's List gives those who volunteered for Egypt. Omits McMahon

• As far as one can tell Fulford, McCabe, Delamore, Donoghue were born in England. And one or two others may have been, but I have not been able to tie their place of birth down.

The regiments they served in were:-

• 20 men from Royal Irish Regiment
• 9 men from 2nd Connaught Rangers
• 5 men from Royal Dublin Fusiliers
• 5 men from Leinster Regiment
• 3 men from Royal Irish Rifles
• 3 men from South Lancashire Regiment
• 2 men from Irish Guards
• 2 Royal Artillery
• 1 man from Royal Irish Fusiliers
• 1 man from Royal Munster Fusiliers
• 1 man from Royal Inniskillings
• 1 man South Irish Horse
• 1 Somerset Light Infantry
• 1 Bedfordshire Regiment
• 1 South Staffordshires

The Deputy Attorney General (B Child) wrote to the Secretary of State on 18/4/1919:- “I feel the public generally will find themselves unable to understand why no action has been taken with a view to bringing these men to trial. There have been 2 questions on the subject (one in each House ). I suggest therefore that men who joined the Irish Brigade should be discharged forthwith for misconduct thus forfeiting their war gratuities and, if due for discharge, the 28 days furlough with pay and other advantages which are given to men who are demobilised.. It is a sad (not to say ignominious as far as we are concerned) ending to a disgraceful incident. I expect you would possibly desire a friendly question put up on the matter after their discharges have been carried out.”

But that attitude softed over time and some but not all were not discharged for "misconduct". Only 14 appear to have lost their medals in the end

An extensive source of information at this NLI document

There are very few photographs of the Irish Brigade. They were not keen for photos to be published during the war, in case men were recognised and allowances stopped.

• A group photo with 28 men plus a German. I am attempting to identify these men
• A group of 4 Irish machine gunners. They are named a Cpl Michael O'Callighan, Privates T McGrath, McDonagh, Carroll
• A group of 7 Irish NCOs with German interpreter. M.Keogh, Golden, Mahoney, Bailey, Kavanagh, M.O'Callaghan, Quinlisk
• Curry, Keogh and Kennedy
• Kavanagh, Delamore, Granaghan
• McCarthy
• Burke
• Delamore

Casement's Irish Brigade